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Fothergilla gardenii Witch Alder
Fothergilla gardenii (Witch Alder). Photo © Mary Free
You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Grasses & Sedges / Eragrostis spectabilis
(Purple Lovegrass, Tumblegrass)

Eragrostis spectabilis
(Purple Lovegrass, Tumblegrass)

Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Lovegrass) in August.
Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Lovegrass) inflorescences in September
Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Lovegrass) in September
Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Lovegrass) in September
Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Lovegrass) in September
Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Lovegrass) in October

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This native* of dune grasslands, prairies, barrens, and open woodlands is considered an important species for soil stabilization along roadsides. In home gardens, its reddish-purple clouds of airy flowers are stunning in summer when backlit or sparkling with raindrops. Grass Plant in Mid-Summer and Late Summer Height: 11⁄2–21⁄2 feet Spread: 2–3 feet Bloom Color: Reddish-purple Characteristics Warm-season perennial bunch grass growing in dense tufts Flat, green leaves with parallel veins, mostly in basal clump, turn bronze in the fall Open, airy, green inflorescences rise above foliage, turning reddish-purple, then tan July to October Inflorescences detach as seeds mature Spreads by self-seeding and slowly by rhizomes Attributes Tolerates drought, black walnut, air pollution, and infertile, poor soil No serious pests or diseases Deer rarely severely damage but will eat the basal stem in winter in heavily grazed areas Inflorescences used in dried flower arrangements Birds eat seed; larval host to Zabulon skipper; livestock graze on young plants Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy, gravelly Pennisetum alopecuroides - Fountain Grass Light Requirements: Sun Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Cut to ground and propagate by division in spring Use in borders, in meadows, as edging to paths *In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is native to DC, common in DE, reported only in Talbot County, MD, and concentrated mostly in southeastern PA. It is common in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont and frequent at lower mountain elevations in VA. Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, Arlington, VA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Lovegrass, Tumblegrass)

This native* of dune grasslands, prairies, barrens, and open woodlands is considered an important species for soil stabilization along roadsides. In home gardens, its reddish-purple clouds of airy flowers are stunning in summer when backlit or sparkling with raindrops.

*In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is native to DC, common in DE, reported only in Talbot County, MD, and concentrated mostly in southeastern PA. It is common in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont and frequent at lower mountain elevations in VA.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets